2nd Tionko memorial football Cup kicks off

THE 2nd Vicenta Tionko Memorial Cup kicks off at 8 a.m. today, Saturday, at the Tionko football grounds.

Davao Football Association (DFA) general secretary Erwin Protacio said games will start right after the opening ceremonies to be graced by members of the Tionko family and DFA officials.

Some 50 teams are expected to join the one-day seven-A-side bootfest that features the boys 16-under, boys and girls 14-under, boys 12-under and boys 10-under categories.

"We are holding this tournament to pay tribute, recognition and gratitude to a person who has made a great contribution to football in Davao City," Protacio said in a recent guesting at Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum.

Each team, which shall be composed of 12 players, must bring photocopies of players' birth certificates at the playing venue so as not to be disqualified.

DFA, meanwhile, also lined up upcoming events like the Sakya Fil-Chi Cup in celebration of the Chinese New Year on Feb. 16 and the Mindanao Regional Festival of Football on March 1 to 3 in separate venues here.

Davao City's U-23 football team is also preparing for the Suzuki Cup Mindanao Finals set sometime in March or April against Iligan, Dipolog and M'lang. (MLSA)